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A few weeks ago we had a call with our friends at GOG who told us about a very special new release that was going to be exciting for our community. Skyrim was going to be added to GOG, completing the Elder Scrolls set on their website. You could say Skyrim is now officially a Good Old Game. Since then we've been working closely with them to ensure that the GOG build is as modding-friendly as possible.
You might be wondering what's different about this release compared to the versions available on Steam or through Xbox Game Pass, so here's a quick rundown of why this version is interesting:
- DRM-free - Like all games offered on GOG, this version is completely free of pesky DRM so you won't be locked out of titles you paid for, or constantly asked to prove you own them - this is DRM-free gaming.
- No Creation Club or Bethesda.net - The Creation Club and Bethesda.net menus have been disabled for this release meaning that you cannot access these services in-game. However, you will still be able to get all of the Creation Club content by purchasing the Anniversary Edition from GOG.com.
- Rollback easily* - Don't you just hate it when Skyrim gets updated and you either have to wait for all your favourite SKSE dependant mods to be updated or mess about trying to roll back? This is quite difficult on Steam or Xbox but GOG has got you covered. Through the GOG Galaxy app, you can easily roll back to an older version of the game or turn off updates entirely to keep modding without interruption.
To celebrate the release, Skyrim will be on sale for the next 2 weeks so you can pick up the full Anniversary bundle of Skyrim Special Edition for £21.49/$24.99/€24.99 (RRP £42.99/$49.99/€49.99) or grab the base game only for £21.49/$24.99/€24.99 (RRP £34.99/$39.99/€39.99). The Anniversary Edition Upgrade can also be purchased separately for £11.19/$13.99/€13.99 (RRP £15.99/$19.99/€19.99). If that sounds appealing to you, use the banners below to grab a copy!**
I'm sure you have questions at this point so here's a brief FAQ covering what we've learned from this build so far.
Can I manage my mods with Vortex?
Yes. We're just about to release Vortex 1.6.12 which includes automatic detection of the GOG version and will allow you to manage your mods, plugins and saved games like any other edition of the game. Other modding tools may require an update (see the bottom of this post).
Does this version work with Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)?
We have ensured that the Silverlock team behind SKSE have been a part of the conversation leading up to the release and GOG has generously given them early access to the build, so you can expect a GOG-compatible SKSE release in the next few days.
Do all existing mods work with the GOG version?
Most mods that do not require SKSE will work correctly at launch. However, due to some changes to remove the Bethesda.net and Creation Club menus, mods that alter the game UI (specifically the main menu and pause menu) may need to be updated before they are compatible.
Can I transfer my saved games over?
Yes. You can move your saved games from any other version into the GOG build by copying the saves folder from "My Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\Saves" to "My Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\Saves". Keep in mind that if you're playing with mods it's not a good idea to move over mid-save but if you do make sure you have all the same mods installed to the GOG version.
I have purchased Creation Club content on Steam/Xbox can I transfer it?
No. As this version of Skyrim has no link to Bethesda.net, it is not possible to transfer your purchases over.
Will you be making copies of the GOG version available to mod authors via the Mod Rewards Program?
We're discussing the possibility of this with GOG so keep an eye on the Donation Points Store. If we're able to secure some copies then we'll let Mod Authors know via the dedicated forums/Discord server.
Is GOG going to release the original 2011 or VR versions?
At the moment there are no plans for GOG to offer these editions of the game.
Can I get the Creation Kit from GOG?
No. At present, the Creation Kit is only available on Steam. Bethesda has confirmed the GOG version is not compatible with the Steam Creation Kit but all mods created using the Creation Kit will work with any PC edition of the game.
Technical Differences
For tool developers (or just those of you who are curious) here are the notable differences between the GOG version and the Steam/Xbox releases:
- The game version is 1.6.659.0.
- Game settings (INI files) are stored under "%userprofile%\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition GOG".
- Saved games are stored under "%userprofile%\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\Saves".
- Load order data (plugins.txt and loadorder.txt files) is stored under "%localappdata%\Skyrim Special Edition GOG".
That about wraps it up. What do you think of Skyrim coming to GOG? Let us know in the comments.
* Bethesda will still be able to remove old versions from this option if required but GOG has said that in most cases they will remain available.
** Disclaimer: We are a member of GOG.com's affiliate program. This means if you use any of the links in the article above to make a purchase from GOG.com, we get a very small cut. It's another way to help us keep the lights on and we're always happy to promote such a great company!
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A moderator has closed this comment topic for the time beingOf course GOG cannot roll back. That's simply because the GOG version is the first initial version without an DRM in place. It will, however, be possible to roll back if any updates after the initial GOG version are applied.
The GOG version cannot been "rolled back" to a previous Steam DRM infested version because all previous versions on Steam need the Steam Client and DRM. There is no way around that, unless Bethesda makes a legal previous version without Steam DRM. That's, however, not something GOG can do. They are bound by what Bethesda will allow and what not.
So - If you have problems with that I am afraid complaining to GOG won't do you any good. It also does not make sense to get angry at them. If you have complaints, shoot them at Bethesda, because they are the ones that compiled (or gobbled together) the GOG version.
And it's not that no mods at all work. A fair deal work, and another batch is worked on. Granted - The real old mods that are no longer maintained will have problems. There is no avoiding that. But that goes for the latest Steam version also.
I do not have the feeling I was lied to. GOG advertised that it's the Skyrim SE version, and that's exactly what we got. They also advertised that a great deal of mods will work (they never said that ALL mods will work), and that's true too.
On steam it was in the old days possible to stop getting updates but i am not sure as i kinda stopped completely playing games on steam.
Well almost with the exception of TL2 as all other games became boring or a pain in the behind as i had both Skyrim and SE fully modded but constant was busy more time fixing the mods as it became crashing often after one small update than playing the game.
Sure i really would like to play again but not on steam but buying it again for the current insane high prices no thanks
Again the later released i do not buy as i posted above the reason.
But the forced updates was one of the reasons i stopped playing almost any game, it is like M$ you get updates forced to your throat which break more than it adds most of the time it is only spyware.
On steam i could no longer play TL2 saved games as it wants to kill the stored saves on my local pc and replace them with 5 months old versions or you have to allow the cloud spying stuff again.
Do not get me wrong i hate the same action of GOG they all want you to keep their client running on the background but i do not want that as i kill any and all background stuff that tries to invade my computer and spy on what i do.
Steam is now officially for me a insane intrusive and forcefull invader sadly i have hundreds of games on steam, which are not portable in any way.
You don't need any client with the GOG edition at all... Where did you get that weird idea?
That client is completely optional and just for convenience, and it's your choice to use it or not. I personally don't use that client at all.
You can just download the installation files from your GOG library, and install them without any client in sight. They are completely stand-alone installers. If you make a back up of those, than you have these installation files for life (as long as you don't destroy that back up). You can install it on any computer you like and you don't need any internet connection, client or whatever to do so.
That's the reason I prefer GOG as platform. You get everything totally DRM free, and don't need any client running in the background.
Would really want to have it on GOG as i prefer GOG over any other platform but having to pay for my ages old game again 120 euro is way too much as no matter what you do, if switch platform they want you to pay again the insane high prices for the same game.
So i am not even looking at those releases as they seldom really improve anything at all.
these so calle anniversery do add nothing visual at all nor better gameplay.... so as all these so called new releases are just a way to sell the old game again and again. Just for profit nothing else.
The greed of thse companies let me stop buying any new games at all ( admitted i do see nothing released what made me want it)
It is all the same games with nothing new or does make me feel that is awesome.
All the games released are just the old boring a bit polished crap even the characters still look completely the same
The cutscene movies do not count
I payed introduction price of €14 for Skyrim SE on GOG. That's nowhere near that imaginary €120 you are talking about.
Granted - The price has probably gone up now the introduction period is over, but it's still not even in the distant neighborhood of €120.
Care to explain?
Once you have the binaries in place, test Skyrim and you should see some text at the top telling you that the ENB Binaries have loaded.
Step two is to pick an ENB preset and follow the instructions for its install. Depending on the complexity of the preset, some just get dumped in the main Skyrim folder, and some have parts that can be added to the data folder. Be careful to read the requirements for the ENB preset, as some of them have additional mods (like AddressUtil) which may be required. If you're modding, you'll need the SKSE installed for GOG.
There are some good youtube videos which explain the process.
Getting started modding with GOG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJYddISZdeo
ENB Installation example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B02WykPfcI
For SSEdit in MO2 (using profiles):
-i:"D:\Modding\Instances\Skyrim\profiles\Default\Skyrim.ini" -p:"c:\Users\[my username]\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\plugins.txt" -d:"d:\Games\Skyrim\Data"
And for SSEdit with quick clean: -Dontcache -i:"D:\Modding\Instances\Skyrim\profiles\Default\Skyrim.ini" -p:"c:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Skyrim Special Edition GOG\plugins.txt" -d:"d:\Games\Skyrim\Data"
See the wiki for details: https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/Guide:XEdit#Launch_Arguments
Oh, and make sure MO2 has the GOG plugin installed, or it won't link the plugins, saves, data folder correctly.
RaceMenu\SKSE\Plugins\skee64.dll
I named mine skee64.dll.old so I didn't have to delete it and the game boots and shows racemenu in the character creation screen. This is not a thorough test though
Hope Starfield is going to have even more!
F*** that noise.
You will also be able to take that hard drive, install your offline Skyrim on a machine with no network connection, and play.
You will also be able to turn on your machine after six months, or a year, or two years (because, say, it's your old computer, now residing at your parents' home), and play Skyrim. No fuss.
Try that with steam, let me know how it works out for you. I had the unique pleasure of steam telling me that I couldn't play a single-player game that I had bought and installed and had been working six months prior... Because I wasn't online.
I bought the thing, I paid the thing, so I get to keep the thing, and use the thing, when I want, how I want. I can do it with a socket wrench, I see no reason I shouldn't be able to do it with a game. Steam disagrees. GOG doesn't.
That's about it.
The only positive side I see is that you don't need to run Steam in the background.
And no, it's not as simple as "just play a game offline lol" with Steam. There's been issues with games where you have to set Steam to offline mode FIRST, or else you can't play them.
And then the auto updates, which you can't disable for workshop items, nor even fully disable for game updates as it force updates on launch. The only way to launch a game without 'updating' it, is to create a second folder for the game, have steam update that, then rename the original back.. and do this every time there's an update. And that's hoping Steam doesn't just randomly update one of your games for absolutely no reason, ignoring your settings of 'only update on launch', and bricking your modded install with no easy recourse to go back. This has happened to me, multiple times on multiple games.
Having a modded game on Steam is a risk. A risk a platform like GOG doesn't have, at all.
You're singing my song! This is EXACTLY what happened to me! Everyone I told said, "Steam wouldn't do a thing like that." Pfft.
I dont think Windows tells you installing their operating system makes them the owner of your PC, but they pretty much treat it like that.
So theres the question which side has the power to enforce their idea of the contract, but its not a question of morality, which is clearly on your side. If you can remove unwanted parts of the product, good. Its yours to toy around with